Best Bars To Watch College Football In Minnesota
College football creates a different kind of hype than other sports. The up-and-coming talent, hungry for victory, sometimes unproven, but always ready to play their hearts out, makes for an exciting game unlike anything else. You can feel the intensity when the teams hit the gridiron. It's no fun to watch the game alone, so put on your favorite jersey and hit up some of the following places. No judgments here if you yell yourself hoarse.
(credit: CBS)
Stub & Herb's
227 S.E. Oak St.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 379-0555
www.stubandherbsbar.com
This is as classic as classic gets. Your Gophers are represented to the fullest at this greasy, fun mainstay right off campus. You'll never feel alone cheering and drinking as the team runs onto the field, in fact this can be one of the busiest places in the city when the Gophers are playing. It's all about community, and the U of M is all about that. Just don't get caught rooting for the wrong team.
The Corner Bar
1501 S. Washington Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55454
(612) 339-4333
www.thecornerbar.net
On the other side of campus, The Corner Bar pours hefty drinks and makes bar food to keep fans satisfied. Plenty of games on big screens around the bar, and plenty of room for you and all your friends to watch them (though you might bump elbows with the guy next to you when it comes down to the wire), the Corner is a lively, no holds barred spot for college football.
Tiffany Sports Lounge
2051 Ford Parkway
St. Paul, MN 55116
(651) 690-4747
www.tiffanysportslounge.com
(credit: tiffanyssportslounge.com)
This a great sports bar to settle in and watch a great game of college football, not only because of the drink specials, good bar food and rabble-rousing attitudes on game day, but also because this spot understands how important sports are to the community. You can find all types of people to watch the game with here, and typically all of the important games are already playing. Anyone who is a KU Jayhawks fan gets an added bonus: Tiffany is the Twin Cities' Jayhawks headquarters, so every game, and every fan, will be on site.
Billy's
857 Grand Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 292-9140
www.billysongrand.com
This large sports bar has no shortage of screens, so when college football starts up, you're sure to find all of the best games playing. You can show up with large groups of college buddies, or snag a seat with the only other fan of your team in the house. There will always be plenty of room for sports fans at Billy's, and everyone is welcome (even Badgers fans). Grab food and drink (maybe build your own Bloody Mary at its weekend bar) and kick back for an exciting day of football.
(credit: CBS)
Sneaky Pete's
14 N. 5th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 333-8820
www.ultimatefunbar.com
While this wild downtown Minneapolis bar might seem more party place than sports bar come evening, it is, in fact, a sports bar. And during the daytime, it can be one of the best places to catch a game. There's plenty of seating, all with great views of overhead screens so you don't have to strain your neck to watch the game, and an excitable crowd that makes sports watching a fun event. Isn't that how it should be? There's no need for specialties while enjoying college football, just food, beer and love of the game.
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
